Day 2

Purple Hibiscus Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

1

Who is Jaja of Opobo? Why does does Aunty Ifeoma think he's important?

(5 min)

Jaja of Opobo is the 19th-century trader prince who resisted British merchants' colonialism and traded directly with Britain, until on the pretext of being invited to meet with Queen Victoria he found himself on a ship bound for the West Indies -- forever. As if exile from his homeland wasn't enough, the Brits subsequently poisoned his tea, which killed the man but failed to extinguish his defiance. It's this spirit of defying colonial authority that elevates Jaja of Opobo's importance.